My Sister Jill in rehearsal: from left, Antonio Castello (Johnnie), Remi D'Agostin (Jill), Marni Johnson (Christine), Kate Bindley (Martha) and Steven Boon (Mouse) By Catherine Watson
Just over a year ago, at Berninneit’s opening event, Remi D'Agostin sat in the audience and wondered what it would be like to perform in such a beautiful space.
As a member of a local community theatre company, it seemed unlikely she’d ever find out.
But next month, Remi and her colleagues at Offshore take over that “beautiful space” for their new production My Sister Jill.
What’s more, their opening performance will be part of the first birthday celebrations for Berninneit.
“Berninneit has been such an asset to our community in this past year,” Remi says. “It’s a beautiful community space and a bit of a dream for us, a community theatre group, to be performing in such a lovely space.”
Just over a year ago, at Berninneit’s opening event, Remi D'Agostin sat in the audience and wondered what it would be like to perform in such a beautiful space.
As a member of a local community theatre company, it seemed unlikely she’d ever find out.
But next month, Remi and her colleagues at Offshore take over that “beautiful space” for their new production My Sister Jill.
What’s more, their opening performance will be part of the first birthday celebrations for Berninneit.
“Berninneit has been such an asset to our community in this past year,” Remi says. “It’s a beautiful community space and a bit of a dream for us, a community theatre group, to be performing in such a lovely space.”
Remi has been part of the award-winning theatre company for about 10 years. She recalls the pleasures of performing in the old Cowes Cultural Centre, the shock of Covid and waking up one morning to find the cultural centre was gone.
“We didn’t know what would happen next. Offshore was invited to be part of the community consultation for the new centre, but we didn’t know what would come of it.
“Then we were invited to the opening last year. I really appreciated that. It was a beautiful space and that was a very special evening. But we never dreamed we would be able to afford to hire the theatre for our own production.
“Then earlier this year we were actually contacted by Berninneit. They said they’d like to work with us for this show. That was so unexpected and so exciting. The committee decided we’d give it a go. So we’ve been working with Berninneit since March.”
“We didn’t know what would happen next. Offshore was invited to be part of the community consultation for the new centre, but we didn’t know what would come of it.
“Then we were invited to the opening last year. I really appreciated that. It was a beautiful space and that was a very special evening. But we never dreamed we would be able to afford to hire the theatre for our own production.
“Then earlier this year we were actually contacted by Berninneit. They said they’d like to work with us for this show. That was so unexpected and so exciting. The committee decided we’d give it a go. So we’ve been working with Berninneit since March.”
A drama teacher at Bass Coast College, Remi first encountered Patricia Cornelius's My Sister Jill when she took her Year 9 class to see the Melbourne Theatre Company production last year.
“It’s an Australian play, a family drama, and I love the dynamics of the characters, the way they inter-act. It’s an ensemble piece and everyone gets their moment. I thought then it would make a very good production for Offshore.”
“It was such a great story, the language was poetic and each of the characters had the space to share their experiences. I bought the script that day and took it back to our little group to read.”
The story revolves around an Australian family in the 1950s-70s and explores the topics of World War 2, The Vietnam War and the inescapable reverberations and effect on the individual members of the family.
“It’s not my era,” Remi says, “but it’s my parents' era so I was really interested to explore it.”
Melissa McMillan, who directs the play, had intended to get back on stage after directing 2.20am in 2023, but she says when she read the script of My Sister Jill the opportunity to direct was too tempting to ignore.
“It deals with some heavy issues but there is so much light and shade throughout. The fact that the actors play themselves as children and young adults allows for such fun and experimentation. “
“It’s an Australian play, a family drama, and I love the dynamics of the characters, the way they inter-act. It’s an ensemble piece and everyone gets their moment. I thought then it would make a very good production for Offshore.”
“It was such a great story, the language was poetic and each of the characters had the space to share their experiences. I bought the script that day and took it back to our little group to read.”
The story revolves around an Australian family in the 1950s-70s and explores the topics of World War 2, The Vietnam War and the inescapable reverberations and effect on the individual members of the family.
“It’s not my era,” Remi says, “but it’s my parents' era so I was really interested to explore it.”
Melissa McMillan, who directs the play, had intended to get back on stage after directing 2.20am in 2023, but she says when she read the script of My Sister Jill the opportunity to direct was too tempting to ignore.
“It deals with some heavy issues but there is so much light and shade throughout. The fact that the actors play themselves as children and young adults allows for such fun and experimentation. “
Offshore Theatre’s production of My Sister Jill premieres at Berninneit on Friday, November 1. Tickets are available at a special birthday rate of $15 and guests will receive a complimentary drink at the bar and celebratory nibbles. Book at Trybooking.
The production also runs on Thursday 7th Nov @ 7.30pm, Friday 8th Nov @ 7.30pm
and Saturday 9th Nov @ 2pm.
The production also runs on Thursday 7th Nov @ 7.30pm, Friday 8th Nov @ 7.30pm
and Saturday 9th Nov @ 2pm.